Set for a busy, fun weekend?

Once again, it’s time for the event to end all events in Huntington

Beach, or in this case, we definitely can say “Surf City, USA.”

Anyone who doubts Huntington’s credentials should just come out

during the coming days for the U.S. Open of Surfing, the largest such

event in the world. Not only will they be able to watch the world’s

best surfers battling for more than $150,000 (let’s hope they do

battle in epic surf), but there also will be volleyball,

skateboarding, BMX riding and motocross. It’s all a part of the Bank

of the West Beach Games, with the surfing competition -- officially

known as the Honda U.S. Open of Surfing presented by O’Neill -- as

the superstar.

Of course, when those doubters do come out, they’d better show up

early, because about 300,000 other people are expected by the time

the event wraps up Sunday.

The highlights of the more than weeklong event include the

honoring of some of surfing’s greats. This morning, the Huntington

Beach Surfing Walk of Fame adds another outstanding class: Buffalo

Keaulana, David Nuuhiwa, the late Carl Hayward, Kim Hamrock and

George Greenough. The next day, the Surfers’ Hall of Fame also

inducts Hayward, along with Tom Carroll, Robert McKnight and Mark

Richards.

Those two moments are the perfect fit for this now-historic event,

which traces back to 1959 and the old U.S. Open Championships. And

they are just for starters.

There will be disc jockeys, autograph signings and junior surfing

competitions that now make up this ultra-contemporary event. For the

first time, an innovative volleyball tournament will be played.

All together, it will be a busy, incredible weekend.

And there are few places in the world better suited for it than

the sands and water surrounding the Huntington Beach Pier.

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

Is the U.S. Open of Surfing a good event for Huntington Beach?

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